Mode guide
Lydian Mode: formula, chords, and sound
Lydian is a major mode with a raised fourth. Learn its formula, hear F Lydian, and use B natural to distinguish it from F major.
The short answer
Lydian Mode is major with a raised fourth
Lydian differs from Ionian by one note: the fourth is raised. In F, B natural replaces the B♭ of F major.
- Example tonic
- F
- Home chord
- F major
- Characteristic degree
- augmented 4th
01
Hear F Lydian
B natural adds lift above the F major tonic. Moving from F to G major makes that note part of a stable chord instead of a passing color. The characteristic note in this example is B.
F Lydian scale
F – G – A – B – C – D – E – F
Sound loads when you first play.
02
Diatonic triads
These seven chords use only notes from the mode. The first chord is the tonal home.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ♯4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | G | Am | Bdim | C | Dm | Em |
03
Practice loop: I–II–I
This is a listening exercise, not a claim about the most common progression. Keep returning your ear to F major.
F – G – F
I–II–I in F Lydian.
Sound loads when you first play.
How to make the mode sound clear
- Hold B over an F chord, then resolve it to C.
- Alternate F and G without drifting toward C.
- Compare B with B♭ to hear Lydian become Ionian.